
Editor
Valerie Lawson @litbeing
@stephlystein You have an excellent #mswl that clearly spells out what you're looking for(Which can be found here:
manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/step…)
What are you NOT looking for?
#okscbwichat
Yes, still looking for all of those things! I hate to rule out entire categories wholesale, because something always surprises me. But I'm not looking for YA sci-fi right now, and I'm not usually a great match for YA thriller UNLESS there's a fantasy element. #okscbwichat

Editor
Valerie Lawson @litbeing
@stephlystein Conversely, what makes you stop reading a manuscript? Any read flags that can lead to an automatic pass from you? #okscbwichatIt's rare for me to see a single red flag that turns me off altogether. In general, though, if I see that my sense of humor isn't a match for the manuscript's, or feel that the story doesn't have a clear sense of where it's going. #okscbwichat

Editor
Kenda Henthorn @kendahenthorn
...or would happy and funny be a more welcomed offset? #okscbwichat twitter.com/kendahenthorn/…Ha, I think you've got it in one there! Speaking personally (and for a few agents I've heard from lately), I'm not looking for a pandemic or dystopian novel right now. But art is also an important way to process difficult times, so I expect they'll be back one day. #okscbwichat

Editor
Valerie Lawson @litbeing
@stephlystein Share some insights on your working process with us - what are some of the steps a manuscript goes through once you receive it from the author you're working with? #okscbwichatI think I got to some of this in my earlier answer about editorial style, but beyond that: once we're done with developmental and line edits, it goes off to copy editing. Authors review those queries and then get one more review in the designed "first pass pages." #okscbwichat

Editor
Valerie Lawson @litbeing
@stephlystein What really grabs your attention when reading a manuscript? What keeps you turning the page and wanting more? #okscbwichatThe eternal question! It always comes down to voice. Is this narrator one I want to get to know better over the next 200+ pages? How much personality shines through? Other factors like smart plot choices and a great opening scene can also hook me, but that's the key! #okscbwichat

Editor
Jerry Bennett @comicbookjer
@stephlystein I suppose you have to work closely with the art direction in GNs. Was that a difficult challenge, or did it come naturally? #okscbwichatOur art style is pretty well established for Warriors, which is most of the graphic novel work I've done so far. But yes, we work closely with our ADs and designers on original GNs! We also work w/ the fantastic Andrew Arnold, who's directing our HarperAlley imprint. #okscbwichat

Editor
Stephanie Stein @stephlystein
This is a great question and obviously something we're thinking about. Acquisitions we make now pub in 1-2 years, so we're still going ahead via email and video conference! A few pub dates have moved, but many are staying. (1/2) #okscbwichat twitter.com/kendahenthorn/…Personally, I'm most worried about our indie bookstore ecosystem! Many are still operating via online ordering and curbside pickup, so please be sure to support them! Big retailers have other revenue streams, but indies need our support to weather this. #okscbwichat

Editor
Kenda Henthorn @kendahenthorn
Hi @stephlystein! I'm wondering what immediate impacts COVID-19 may be having on the publishing industry...are acquisitions and publications proceeding or are you seeing shockwaves and delays in light of our current uncertainties?This is a great question and obviously something we're thinking about. Acquisitions we make now pub in 1-2 years, so we're still going ahead via email and video conference! A few pub dates have moved, but many are staying. (1/2) #okscbwichat

Editor
Stephanie Stein @stephlystein
I am a pretty hands-on editor and I ask a lot of questions. One of my favorite things about the job is figuring out what each of my authors needs from me in order to do their best work. (1/2) #okscbwichat twitter.com/litbeing/statu…My usual process is to write 1-2 rounds of big-picture notes (edit letters), then dive into line edits. But I'm also happy to jump on the phone for a brainstorming call or work from an outline, especially for Book 2 with the same author. Depends on them! (2/2) #okscbwichat

Editor
Valerie Lawson @litbeing
@stephlystein Can you talk about your editing style? #okscbwichatI am a pretty hands-on editor and I ask a lot of questions. One of my favorite things about the job is figuring out what each of my authors needs from me in order to do their best work. (1/2) #okscbwichat

Editor
Jerry Bennett @comicbookjer
I’d love to know a graphic novel you’ve recently edited that went smoothly, or relatively smooth. #okscbwichatI have to tip my hat to the amazing @_DanJolley and @JamesLBarry, who work on the graphic novels set in Erin Hunter's Warriors universe. They keep everything feeling like a well-oiled machine! Our latest is A SHADOW IN RIVERCLAN, coming this summer. #okscbwichat

Editor
gayesanders @gayesanders
@stephlystein @litbeing @comicbookjer Are there any #bookbirthdays coming up soon for anything you’ve edited? If so let us know!Actually, TODAY is the #bookbirthday for the fantastic and heartwarming MG fantasy THE TRIUMPHANT TALE OF PIPPA NORTH by @TemreBeltz! And in April, I've got an atmospheric and dark YA debut, @rosswriting's DON'T CALL THE WOLF. #okscbwichat

Editor
Stephanie Theban @StephanieTheban
Can you tell us some things you love in queries and some things you hate in queries? Thank you. #okscbwichatThings I love: smart comp (competitive) titles that would be realistic neighbors for your book on the shelf. A fresh premise. A hint of the MC's voice (sense of humor, etc). Things I wish I didn't see: Don't disparage your own work OR others in your genre! #okscbwichat

Editor
Valerie Lawson @litbeing
@stephlystein How did you find the transition from marketing to editing?#okscbwichat
I loved it! I think editors who start in another department, be it marketing or sales or whatever, take such a valuable perspective with them. And it helped to already know a bit about how the rest of the business worked while I was learning the ropes in editorial! #okscbwichat

Editor
Valerie Lawson @litbeing
@comicbookjer @stephlystein It's definitely a much-needed skill for writers in this day and age. #okscbwichatIt's true, it's important to know how to deliver a good hook for your pitch! :) #okscbwichat

Editor
Jerry Bennett @comicbookjer
@stephlystein @HarperChildrens @harperteen I’d love to know your most and least favorite thing about editing graphic novels! :) #okscbwichatI love translating my editorial POV to a more visual storytelling language--thinking about things like layout and page turns. And the amazing art! What I might not love are the loooong schedules. Novels can take 2 years to pub, but GNs often take longer! #okscbwichat

Editor
Valerie Lawson @litbeing
@stephlystein Can you tell us how you came to work in Children's Publishing? How did you start working as an editor? #okscbwichatI came to the children's book world 8 years ago and have worked at Harper ever since. After internships at smaller pubs, I started out in marketing, where I learned how to write catchy copy and position a book to its audience. ~2 years later I switched to editing! #okscbwichat

Literary Agent
Van Derance @VanDerance
@literallycait Hello! Do you accept queries for novellas?Technically yes, but they are a more limited market at the moment. I'm seeing that market expand more every month, though, so it is looking better than ever before!

Literary Agent
Sasa Hawk @SasaHawk
@literallycait Oh sorry! I meant should I focus on a different project in a different age category if YA is a tough sell?YA will always have a market so unless you have a trend-driven book I wouldn't worry too much. But if you do have another project on the backburner you feel you could switch to, by all means!

Literary Agent
Madeleine McLaughlin @Madoxane
@literallycait How many PB MS should a writer have completed before querying?One, unless there's something I'm missing about picture books! I don't rep them. But as with querying in all genres, it should be about quality over quantity. Just be prepared to talk about your next ideas as well!